Federal Chancellor Stocker: Ukraine's Experiences are "Valuable for Us"
Austria has set many impulses in combating illegal migration in Europe, he emphasized before the meeting. Heads of state and government from all over Europe are coming together today, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected.
In Austria, regarding illegal migration, "our measures are taking effect." Stocker spoke of a "renewed decline in asylum applications from 2023 to 24 by minus 60 and from 24 to 25 by another 30 percent." Austria is a "pioneer" in this area. It is necessary to cooperate beyond the European Union in this area, which is a "key word" for this topic. Many countries, especially in the Balkans, are not members of the EU but are important for this issue.
He believes that Ukraine, in 3.5 years of war, has "gained a lot of experience in dealing with aggression from abroad." According to Stocker, this concerns not only hybrid threats but also other disinformation and destabilization campaigns: "Ukraine's experiences are valuable to us." In Austria, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey, the population remains among the most skeptical regarding further enlargement of the Union.
Stocker: "Security situation is different"
The Federal Chancellor is convinced that the Austrian "population benefits if the EU also expands in terms of security. We see that the security situation is quite different than it was a few years ago." Ukraine is a prime example here. "We must also view the EU from this perspective." Furthermore, the decision on whether a first cluster (chapter of accession negotiations, note) will be opened is still pending. The accession negotiations are still at the beginning, but "in principle, we have committed to an enlargement including Ukraine."
However, he sees a definite "need for clarification and discussion"; the population "does not yet have sufficient awareness of what it means for Austria's security." For Stocker, the Western Balkan countries, which have been on the EU waiting list for many years, need to "get moving" regarding accessions. He was in Montenegro in the summer, which is already far along in the accession process. Countries that are already further along and capable of joining could be admitted to the EU first, he emphasized.
Regarding the question discussed at the EU summit about the use of frozen Russian assets, Stocker said this is "not easy to answer." The aim is to find a "legally compliant solution." The idea is "obvious," but it must be done within the legal framework.
(APA/Red)
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